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Cheer places fourth at USA National Competition

Cheer placed fourth at the United Spirit Association National Competition Sunday, March 20 at Anaheim Convention Center.

The performance consisted of cheer, dance, stunts and tumbling. The team received critiques from the qualification competition on Friday and made improvements to prepare for Sunday. Cheer achieved fourth place out of 12 teams by receiving an overall score of 90 out of 100 points.

“When we came off the mat, everyone was really happy and proud of each other. It was our best performance, and we hit a perfect routine,” freshman Ashley Mercado said. “I was really happy [that we got into the nationals] and really proud of everyone because we worked really hard to make it there.”

Cheer practiced for two to three times a week in addition to rehearsing for three hours during Saturdays. Judges graded the choreography, execution, showmanship, overall impression and difficulty of the routines.

“Because this competition is nationals, it’s a lot bigger, and there’s more pressure to do your best. All the other teams there are just as good as we are. They want the national title just as much as we do, so it was a lot more stressful, nerve-wracking and exciting,” sophomore Kasidi Montenegro said.